diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 12e72dc..ba2509f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,7 +29,13 @@ Build the extension:
 ./gradlew build
 ```
 
-You can press `F5` to launch a new VS Code window with the extension loaded. Alternatively, you can execute "Extension: Install from VSIX..." from the command pallete to install the extension into your environment (reload required).
+From VS Code, you can press `F5` to launch a new VS Code window with the extension loaded.
+
+Alternatively, you can install the extension into your environment (reload required):
+
+```bash
+./gradlew install
+```
 
 ## Publishing 
 
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 0010082..c959495 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -46,9 +46,13 @@ task vsce(type: Exec, dependsOn: [copyJar, copyLocal, webpack]) {
     vsce += ".cmd"
   }
   workingDir "$buildDir"
-  commandLine "$vsce", "package"
+  commandLine "$vsce", "package", "-o", "$buildDir/nextflow.vsix"
 }
 
 task build {
   dependsOn vsce
 }
+
+task install(type: Exec, dependsOn: [build]) {
+  commandLine "code", "--install-extension", "$buildDir/nextflow.vsix"
+}